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10 Dangerous Indoor Plants for Pets

More on PawNation: Cats, Dogs, Health, Safety, The Dish

By Vetstreet Mar 11, 2013

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    Plants help cozy up a living space, but pet owners should be extra careful when choosing greenery. More than 700 plants contain toxic substances that may harm dogs or cats if ingested. Signs of poisoning can be mild to severe and in some cases, pets can even die. Most houseplants have multiple names, so it's important to confirm that the plants you own or plan to purchase are not toxic to your pet.

    RELATED: 5 Ways to Keep Your Pet From Wreaking Havoc on Your Spring Garden

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    LILIES

    Many plants of the lily family are toxic to cats, and some are toxic to dogs. Cats are the only animals in which the Easter and stargazer lilies are known to be toxic. Generally, a cat’s first reaction to this plant includes vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite, but kidney failure and even death can quickly follow if a cat is untreated. The peace lily (also known as Mauna Loa) is toxic to both dogs and cats. Ingestion of the peace lily or calla lily can cause irritation of the tongue and lips, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing and vomiting. 

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    ASPARAGUS FERN

    The asparagus fern (also called emerald feather, emerald fern, sprengeri fern, plumosa fern or lace fern) is toxic to dogs and cats. The toxic agent in the plant is sapogenin — a steroid found in a variety of plants. If a dog or cat ingests the berries of this plant, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain can occur. Allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation) can occur if an animal is repeatedly exposed. 

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    CORN PLANT

    Corn plant (also known as cornstalk plant, dracaena, dragon tree or ribbon plant) is toxic to dogs and cats. Saponin is the offensive chemical compound in this plant. If the plant is ingested, vomiting (with or without blood), appetite loss, depression and/or increased salivation can occur. Affected cats may also have dilated pupils.

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    DIEFFENBACHIA

    Dieffenbachia (commonly known as dumb cane, tropic snow or exotica) is toxic to dogs and cats. Dieffenbachia contains a chemical that is a poisonous deterrent to animals. If the plant is ingested, oral irritation can occur, especially on the tongue and lips. This irritation can lead to increased salivation, difficulty swallowing and vomiting. 

    RELATED: Why Does My Dog Stare at Me?

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    ELEPHANT EAR

    Elephant ear (also known as caladium, taro, pai, ape, cape, via, via sori or malanga) contains a chemical similar to that in dieffenbachia, so an animal’s toxic reaction to elephant ear is similar: oral irritation, increased salivation, difficulty swallowing and vomiting.

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    CYCLAMEN

    Cyclamen (also known as sowbread) is a pretty, flowering plant that is toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested, this plant can cause increased salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. If an animal ingests a large amount of the plant’s tubers — which are found at the root, generally below the soil — heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures and even death can occur.

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    HEARTLEAF PHILODENDRON

    Heartleaf philodendron (also known as horsehead philodendron, cordatum, fiddle leaf, panda plant, split-leaf philodendron, fruit salad plant, red emerald, red princess or saddle leaf) is a common, easy-to-grow houseplant that is toxic to dogs and cats. This philodendron contains a chemical that can irritate the mouth, tongue and lips of animals. An affected pet may also experience increased salivation, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

    RELATED: Top 5 Dogs for Your Golden Years

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    JADE PLANT

    Jade plant (also known as baby jade, dwarf rubber plant, jade tree, Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant or friendship tree) is toxic to both cats and dogs. The toxic property in this plant is unknown, but ingestion can cause vomiting, depression, ataxia (incoordination) and bradycardia (slow heart rate; this is rare).

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    ALOE PLANT

    Aloe plant (also known as medicine plant or Barbados aloe) is a common succulent that is toxic to dogs and cats. Aloin is the toxic agent in this plant. The bitter yellow substance is found in most aloe species and may cause vomiting and/or reddish urine

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    Next: 10 Items For Your Pet First Aid Kit

    SATIN POTHOS

    Satin pothos (also known as silk pothos) is toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested by a cat or dog, the plant may irritate the mouth, lips and tongue. The pet may also experience increased salivation, vomiting and/or difficulty swallowing.

    RELATED: 5 Once-Popular Dog Breeds That Are Sorely Missed

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Steve-a-rino

Cats kill billions of songbirds, chipmunks, squirrels, flying squirrels and many other cute little forest friends annually, so who cares if we lose a few cats? Plus, it amuses me no end that we LOVE our little furry feline pals but don't mind feeding them processed food including beef, pork, chicken and fish; as if cows, pigs, chicken and salmon don't deserve to live. "Animal lovers" my eye!

March 12 2013 at 12:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Steve-a-rino's comment
desimora08

Didnt mean to give you thumbs up on that. I am a CAT OWNER & TOTALLY DISAGREE. I have a nice furry white cat that only killed about 7 mice in NEW YORK CITY so actually helped me. LOL & for the record GOD put animals such as you have mentioned 4 eating purposes so dont be so JUDGEMENTAL HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

March 12 2013 at 1:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to desimora08's comment
VelikaSistrichka

Hey I am cat guardian as well, plus I have dogs birds and rats as pets, I love them all... And if I had a farm I would love a cow and a goat too! So I whole heatedly disagree with you that God gave us animals to eat, that is the most egocentric statement ever. Why would God create a creature that knows joy and pain only so it could end up slaughtered and in your gullet? Doesn't make sense. You don't need meat it's just an excuse you use to feel better about eating animals.

March 12 2013 at 4:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down
Patrick Mulcahy

The flowers are in bloom. Watch out for what you cat or dog eats Mnay are very dangerous. Take a look at this article.

March 12 2013 at 12:32 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Patrick Mulcahy's comment
desimora08

I AGREE CATS NOR DOGS SHOULD EAT PLANTS IT IS VERY HARMFUL TO THEM UNLESS ITS REGULAR GRASS WHICH ACTUALLY HELPS THEM IF THEY HAVE WORMS OR INDEGESTION PROBLEMS

March 12 2013 at 1:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Illnuts51

You know I uhhh, worship Satin. And Cats, they're real bad creatures man, they're the portal to hell. They walk in both dimensions!!!! And to think, you Asians even eat them as if they're not a direct invitation to the lake of fire.

March 11 2013 at 10:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
swanderman

In the last 400 years, the domestic cat has been the top agent of all recorded extinctions of biodiversity, globally, when Europeans transported the domestic cat globally.

Swedish Wildlife Study: "The domestic cat is the most dangerous predator ever introduced by man."

"The dodo and Solitaire of the Mascarenes, Lord Howe's white gallinule and rails everywhere were wiped out in the next wave of extinction -- caused by predatory mammals introduced by people. Cats and rats were the worst of these." [The domestic cat caused over twice as many extinctions as the second agent, the rat.]

American attorney: "...cat owners who fail to control their felines could be prosecuted under the Endangered Species Act."

"To maintain the integrity of our ecosystems, we have to conserve the animals that play integral roles in those ecosystems. Every time we lose another bird species or suppress their population numbers, we're altering the very ecosystems that we depend upon as humans."

Translated: Free-roaming cats, outdoors, are killing every reason we humans breathe!

March 11 2013 at 10:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
borisbaranov

@toyedmania

Back off. No animal is worthless. Have you ever had cats before to smack that claim? Around my place they do wonders in keeping the local mice and bird population down. And don't say they're diseased ridden, dogs can be too if not taken cared of.

You are narrow minded and selfish and quite frankly clueless on what they can actually do. For those who love cats they are the best companions even if they're not as affectionate as dogs. Independent enough to think for themselves.

If you think cats are useless, why are you even wasting your time commenting here? People came here to read the article to be aware and not read your useless banter.

March 11 2013 at 9:26 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to borisbaranov's comment
gizmoprof

folks... no matter what side of the I * cats argument you are on, the phrase is "disease ridden" not "diseased ridden".

March 11 2013 at 9:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
VictoriaRose

I absolutely adore my 3 cats, Chloe, Lillie, and Sophie. I am always very careful about plants. Chloe ate a small amount of a cyclamen once and because the Vet was unsure as to whether or not it was poisonous, we had to take her in for a shot. So, even though I love them, no more cyclamen! My babies are so much more important.

March 11 2013 at 9:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
iansoderlund

Im so sorry for your cat. My cat is 19 and im not sure how much time he has left:(

March 11 2013 at 5:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to iansoderlund's comment
kim272727

I know the feeling. I had a cat that lived until 18. My mom had a cat that lived til 25. And I just saw on animal planet that the longest living cat made it to 38!!!

Here's wishing you many more years with your fuzzy friend.

March 11 2013 at 5:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ali Cat

I would keep the cats out of the flower shop, if possible. A lot of people think animals instinctively avoid things that are poisonous to them, but it's just not true. My sister almost lost her beloved cat after he ate lilies from an arrangement that was sent to her.

March 11 2013 at 4:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Grant Ringuette

Im a Master Gardener in Phoenix, Most of these plants would have to be greatly ingested to be deadly. Silly people!

March 11 2013 at 4:34 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Grant Ringuette's comment
sdoug25000

To people, maybe. To dogs and cats, a little goes a long way. Their body systems handle certain things differently than our, and what might be fine for us to eat is a no no for animals. Grapes for example cause kidney failure in both dogs and cats. Onions cause red blood cells to break down in dogs. If a cat eats even a tiny bit of lily, get it to the vet.

March 11 2013 at 7:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Jo

It's not just your pets. In the Southwest and CA deserts, landscapers love to use oleander to outline property lines, and as decorative plants.

Oleander is a deadly poison. Ingestion of a few leaves will halt one's heartbeat.

Yet, I have seen CHILD CARE facilities use it to line their play yard fences (and my children were NEVER enrolled in those schools---and I told the owners exactly why).

March 11 2013 at 3:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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